The LSU Tigers have lost a large amount of talent to the 2024 NFL Draft. However, head coach Brian Kelly still has plenty to work with and has used the transfer portal to add new faces. The top 10 returning players in Baton Rouge should improve the Tigers in 2024, including two of the best offensive linemen in the country.
LSU Tigers’ Top 10 Returners in 2024
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal area. As such, we’ve included transfer-portal athletes on each team’s roster page to open spring camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
10) Greg Penn III, LB
Greg Penn III is a true team leader for the Tigers and has developed his all-round game. Penn will enter his senior year in 2024 as an experienced player, starting 27 of the last 28 games in Baton Rouge.
In 2023, Penn had 89 total tackles, 6.5 for a loss, four sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble. The linebacker epitomizes everything LSU is trying to achieve on defense, and his veteran presence brings reliable and consistent authority.
9) Aaron Anderson, WR
With Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. off to the NFL, the wide receiver room will undergo a changing of the guard in 2024. Aaron Anderson will be key to the continuity of positional success. Listed at 5’8” and 185 pounds, he may be small, but he possesses an impactful skill set heading into the new season.
An extremely versatile weapon that plays with speed and energy, Anderson’s usage will be expanded in 2024 after featuring sparingly a year ago. Featuring in 11 games, the WR caught 12 passes for 59 yards and was occasionally used as a kick returner.
8) Paris Shand, DE
The defensive line was a massive problem for the Tigers in 2023, but with a new, more favorable defensive scheme taking over in 2024, LSU defensive end Paris Shand could have a breakout year.
Shand transferred to Baton Rouge from Arizona in 2023 and had the best season of his career. In 12 games, he had 17 total tackles, five for a loss, two sacks, and two passes defended. Those numbers should increase in 2024 as the Tigers’ defensive end looks to take his game to the next level in his senior season.
7) Garret Nussmeier, QB
After patiently waiting his turn, Garret Nussmeier will enter 2024 as the starting quarterback for the Tigers. As a redshirt junior, Nussmeier has only started one game while appearing in 18. However, that one game was enough to impress, with the LSU quarterback earning MVP honors at the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Completing 31 of his 45 passing attempts for 395 yards and three touchdowns, Nussmeier was remarkable enough in the bowl game to believe he can carry on LSU’s legacy of developing quarterbacks. While he won’t be surrounded by the proven weapons the Tigers had in 2023, he has a good enough supporting cast to make an impression in 2024.
6) Kyren Lacy, WR
Kyren Lacy is the most utilized wide receiver in 2023 to still be on the roster in 2024. After playing 580 snaps, Lacy was the third option a year ago, having 25 catches for 463 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. He is set for a more prominent and notable role this fall.
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Listed at 6’2” and 213 pounds, Lacy can use his strength and athleticism to evolve into the top receiver on the Tigers’ roster if he can become more consistent in 2024.
5) Da’Shawn Womack, DE
Da’Shawn Womack has all the traits to be an explosive breakout pass rusher in 2024. The edge rusher impressed in his freshman season, appearing in 12 games. However, the defensive line underperformed overall in 2023, leading to staff and scheme changes.
Expect Womack to vastly improve on his 13 tackles, 1.5 for a loss, and 1.5 sacks under new direction from new defensive coordinator Blake Baker. The sophomore pass rusher passed the eye test a year ago, looking terrifying off the edge as a natural athlete.
4) Emery Jones, OT
Emery Jones has emerged as one of the top offensive tackles in the SEC, showcasing incredible development since he became a starter in 2022. The Tigers’ RT has shaken off a shaky start to thrive as an immense run-blocker as he continues to refine his pass-blocking technique.
A Baton Rouge native, Jones can kick on again in his junior year this fall as he further looks to cement himself as one of the top tackles in the country in an offensive line full of stars. With four offensive linemen returning in 2024, Jones will be part of a unit that will be one of the favorites for the Joe Moore Award.
3) CJ Daniels, WR
Liberty wide receiver CJ Daniels was a huge get for Kelly in the transfer. The star WR caught 55 passes for 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 29.4 yards per reception for the Flames in the 2023 campaign.
At 6’2” and 200 pounds, Daniels combines size with explosive movement and should be able to dominate in LSU’s comprehensive offense. The grad transfer is looking to repeat his 1,000-yard season from a year ago in the SEC to bring his name to national attention.
2) Harold Perkins Jr. LB
After taking college football by storm in 2022, Harold Perkins Jr. had a somewhat subdued season a year ago. However, under DC Baker, the star linebacker has the potential to ascend to new heights this fall.
In his two years in Baton Rouge, Perkins has had 147 total tackles, 26 for a loss, 13 sacks, seven passes deflected, seven forced fumbles, and two interceptions. The outside linebacker is intimidating when attacking downfield and rushing the passer and can take over any game.
1) Will Campbell, OT
Will Campbell has been one of the most impressive offensive tackles in the nation since he took over as left tackle in his freshman season in 2022. Alongside Jones at RT, LSU has the best tackle duo in college football.
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A 2023 CFN Second-Team All-SEC Offensive player, Campbell is already on the radar of the NFL as he continues to ascend his career. In 2023, the Tigers’ left tackle didn’t allow a sack, and looking ahead could be a top selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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